Homecoming King: Redskins 20, Seahawks 17

Site Staff

11/23/2008

Jim Zorn admitted the game was special. Not that he had to tell anyone, the way he bounced around Redskins Park all week. He was returning to a city where he was beloved as the Seahawks first quarterback.

Zorn made sure he left feeling even better.

The Redskins players helped make sure of that, beating host Seattle 20-17, today. It wasn't quite a must-win, but it was pretty close considering the tightness of the NFC playoff race. After the win, the Redskins are 7-4 and hold the edge as the No. 2 wild card team. Barely.

So it doesn't matter if the win comes with style points or not. The Redskins will take it. The victory also was Washington's seventh by a touchdown or less.

The Redskins did dominate statistically, outgaining Seatte 386 to 228. And the defense held Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to 103 yards passing and 50 percent completion.

Still, the game wasn't over until corner Shawn Springs intercepted Hasselbeck with 1 minute, 20 seconds remaining. The pick followed Ladell Bett's fumble at the Seattle 22.

Running back Clinton Portis powered his way to 143 yards rushing, using many lead blocks from fullback Mike Sellers.
Placekicker Shaun Suisham, inexplicably short on a 43-yard attempt earlier in the game, kicked the game-winning points with 9:23 remaining. His 22-yard kick20snapped a 17-17 tie.

And the Redskins were able to grind out almost all of the final 7:05 after taking possession at their own 4-yard line. Running behind a determined line, Portis' first three runs on the series gained 40 yards. The drive didn't end until Betts' fumble.

But Betts is the one who gave Washington a 7-3 lead in the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run.

The Redskins started to take full control in the third quarter, grabbing a 17-10 lead entering the fourth thanks to a 26-yard Suisham field goal and an eight-yard Jason Campbell to Antwaan Randle El touchdown pass. The latter scoring drive was set up by safety LaRon Landry's interception and subsequent return to the Seattle 35.

The Seahawks managed to tie the game on a 10-yard pass to tight end John Carlson, who beat linebacker Rocky McIntosh off the line.

The Redskins players helped make sure of that, beating host Seattle 20-17, today. It wasn't quite a must-win, but it was pretty close considering the tightness of the NFC playoff race. After the win, the Redskins are 7-4 and hold the edge as the No. 2 wild card team. Barely.

So it doesn't matter if the win comes with style points or not. The Redskins will take it. The victory also was Washington's seventh by a touchdown or less.

The Redskins did dominate statistically, outgaining Seatte 386 to 228. And the defense held Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to 103 yards passing and 50 percent completion.

Still, the game wasn't over until corner Shawn Springs intercepted Hasselbeck with 1 minute, 20 seconds remaining. The pick followed Ladell Bett's fumble at the Seattle 22.

Running back Clinton Portis powered his way to 143 yards rushing, using many lead blocks from fullback Mike Sellers. Placekicker Shaun Suisham, inexplicably short on a 43-yard attempt earlier in the game, kicked the game-winning points with 9:23 remaining. His 22-yard kick20snapped a 17-17 tie.

And the Redskins were able to grind out almost all of the final 7:05 after taking possession at their own 4-yard line. Running behind a determined line, Portis' first three runs on the series gained 40 yards. The drive didn't end until Betts' fumble.

But Betts is the one who gave Washington a 7-3 lead in the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run.

The Redskins started to take full control in the third quarter, grabbing a 17-10 lead entering the fourth thanks to a 26-yard Suisham field goal and an eight-yard Jason Campbell to Antwaan Randle El touchdown pass. The latter scoring drive was set up by safety LaRon Landry's interception and subsequent return to the Seattle 35.

The Seahawks managed to tie the game on a 10-yard pass to tight end John Carlson, who beat linebacker Rocky McIntosh off the line.